Ubuntu12.10

There is no longer a traditional CD-sized image, DVD or alternate image, but rather a single 800MB Ubuntu image that can be used from USB or DVD. Users who previously installed using LVM or full-disk encryption via the alternate CD will find that these installation targets are supported by the consolidated image in 12.10.

Update Manager has been streamlined and renamed Software Updater. It also now checks for updates when launched.

Ubuntu 12.10 is an open source Linux distribution based on the Debian GNU/Linux operating system and built around the Unity 3D desktop environment created by Canonical specifically for this OS.

Dubbed Quantal Quetzal, this release is distributed into multiple editions, including Desktop, Core, Server, Netboot, and Cloud Server. Each one has a separate entry on our website, which means that this is the Ubuntu Desktop flavor.

Distributed as 32-bit and 64-bit Live DVDs

It is distributed as two Live DVD ISO images, one for each of the supported hardware platforms (64-bit and 32-bit). We have to mention that this is Canonical’s first Ubuntu release that used DVD-size ISO images instead of CD-size ones.

As usual, it allows users to boot an existing operating system that is installed on the first disk drive, run a memory diagnostic test, try Ubuntu without installing, as well as to install the entire operating system directly from the boot prompt.

No more GNOME Classic/Fallback mode

The GNOME Classic fallback mode has been removed from this Ubuntu release, which comes with 2D and 3D versions of the Unity user interface. However, most of its components are still based on the GNOME desktop environment.

Key features include support for LVM and full disk encryption built in the graphical installer, support for web apps, an improved Unity experiences, as well as a revamped login screen. It is powered by Linux kernel 3.5, X.Org 7.7, Xorg Server 1.13, Mesa 9.0, GCC 4.7 toolchain, Python 2.7 and 3.2, as wel as Compiz Fusion 0.9.8.4.

Bottom line

Ubuntu 12.10 was official announced on October 18, 2012, and Canonical plans to end support for it in April 2014. Therefore, we strongly recommend to upgrade to the Ubuntu 14.04 LTS release as soon as possible.

Ubuntu was reviewed by Marius Nestor, last updated on December 6th, 2014